Vacuum-producing device



J. McALEAR.

VACUUM PRODUGINGDEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED 0c.31.1915.

1,367,556. Patented Feb. 8, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Mania? Jam slfqflzear J/Z/W Z36 %5.

J. McALEAR.

VACUUM PRODUCING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 31. 1915.

Patented Feb. 8, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 MW $21M J. McALEAR, VACUUM Pnooucme DEVICE.

APPLICATION man DEC-31, 1915.

Patented Fb. 8, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

JAMES IVECALEAR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VAGU'UM-PEQDUCING DEVICE.

incense.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. s, 1921.

Application filed December 31, 1915. Serial No. 69,537.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES MoALnAn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chlcago, in the county of (look and btate of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful improvement in Vacuum-Producing Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to vacuum producing devices and has for its object to prov de a new and improved device 01 this description.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is aview showing one torn oi device embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view showing the controlling apparatus for controlling the liquid for operating the main valves;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line of Fig. 2;

Fig. i is a sectional view taken on line e-d of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional dew taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several figures.

In carrying out my invention I provide a vacuum tank or chamber 1 adapted to be connected by pipe 2 with a device, such as the heating apparatus, with which the vacuum produping device is used. The vacuum tank is provided with a steam lnlet pipe 3 and a water inlet pipe 4:, by means which steam or water may be admitted to the tank.

he steam inlet pipe is controlled by a valve 5 connected with a valve stem 6. The pipes 2, 3 and 4iconnect with t ecase 5 This case is provided with a partition 5 as shown, and the pipe t connects on one side 01": the partition and the pipes 2 and 3 on the other side. The case 5 communicates with the chamber 1. The valve stem is provided at its upper end with an engaging piece 7 and a spring 8 surrounds the upper end orthe valve stem and engages said engaging piece and a movable stop piece 9, said spring tending to open the valve. The adjustable piece 9 is siidably mounted upon rods 10 connected with the casing 11 containing a dis- 1 e m 1 pnragm for controlling the valve 5. ll1lb diaphragm has connected therewlth a part 12 which engages the engaging piece 7 The casing 11 is arranged so that there IS a space both above and below the diaphragm 13 therein. The space below the diaphragm is connected by a pipe 14 with the pipe 2, which connects with the vacuum tank so that when there is a vacuum in the tank there will also be a vacuum beneath the diaphragm 13. Since the pipe 14: connects with the casing 11 below the diaphragm it is necessary to have a closed bottom to said casing and the part 12 therefor passes up through a stuihng box 12 so that the de sired condition may be maintained in the casing 11 below the diaphragm. The space in the casing 11 above the diaphragm is connected by a pipe15 with a water pipe 16 leading to the casing 17 containing the controlling valve which admits or shuts oii wa ter from said pipe, the water coming irom the supply pipe 18 connected with any suitable source of supply, such as the city water pressure or the like. The water pipe 4 is provided with a valve 19 by means of which it is controlled. The casing of the valve 19 is also connected with the hollow part 5 whi h communicates with the tank 1. This valve is connected with the valve stem 20 which is moved by a diaphragm 21 in the casing 22. A spring 23 surrounds the valve stem and engages the diaphragm at one end, the other end engaging an adjustable stop piece 24 movably mounted on the rods 25. Since the under side of the diaphragm is subjected to atmospheric pressure the casing. 22 is simply provided with an opening at the bottom and the spring 23 through this opening and directly engages the diaphragm or. a washer connected therewith, being unnecessary to use an engaging piece similar to the engaging piece 7 shown in connection with spring 8. The asing is provided with a space or chainer above the diaphra m, which is connect-- ed by a pipe 26 with the water pipe 16 so that water may be admitted above said diaphragm. When the valve 19 is open the water from the water pipe e passes into the tank 1, preferably through a pipe 2?, and strikes spraying device 28 so as to be sprayed about said tank. The tank 1 is provided with a discharge pipe 29 having a check valve 30 and discharging into a trap 31 provided with the partition 32 which acts as a water seal. This trap is provided with a discharge pipe 33. which leads to the sewer or back to the boiler or to any other point desired. Located above the trap 31 is a casing 34 containing a thermostatic device 35, which in the present case is shown as a corrugated diaphragm containing a fluid which expands when heated. The steam and heat from the trap 81 is free to pass upwardly into the casing so as to the thermostatic device and cause it to expand. The casing 34 has connected therewith a discharge pipe 36 through whi 11 this vapor may pass from the casing. When the fluid in the thermostatic device iipands the top of the device rises, and when this fluid contracts, the top of the device lowers. Gonnected with the top of the thermostatic device is a lever 37 (see Figs. 2 and 3). his lever is connected to a shaft 38, which passes into the casing 17, there being connected to said shaft a lever 39 located in the casing 17. Some suitable packing device is arranged in connection with the shut 38. firs herein shown, this shaft is provided with bevel face 40, which engages a bevel face il on the casing, the two bevel ta es being held together by a spring 4-2 which engages the lever 37 and a part on the casing thus forming a packing device for the shart. The wa ter pipe 18 connects with the top of this casing and there is a discharge pipe 4:3 connected with the bottom of the casing and with the trap 31. The lever 39 is connected with a valve a l, which controls the admission discharge of the water or other power fluid from the casing 17. Any suitable valve for this purpose may be used. As herein shown, the valve l i is provided with the end piece 455, which slides in the part 16 provided with one or more discharge openings 4? communicating with the casing 12. WVhen the end piece a5 is in the'position shown in Fig. 4, the openings l? are closed and the water is cut off from the casing '1 past said openings, communication is i between the water pipe 18 and one see 1. The valve is provid d at the other end with the end piece 48, which slides in the piece 43) having one or more openin s communicating With the casing 17. When the end piece 4-8 is in the position shown in Fig. l, the casing 1 is in communication with discharge pipe 43 so that the fluid may pass therefrom. When the end piece a8 is moved downwardly to cover these openings 50 the discharge from the casing is closed. A. spring 51 is associated with the valve 44: and normally tends to hold it in a position where the water is shut off from the pipe 18. This spring assists in returning the valve to this position when the thermostatic device is cool, and helps to take the load of? of the thermostatic device due to the weight off the valve. The pipe 16, which leads to the controlling apparatus for tie main valve, connects with the casing 17 so that when the casing is conne'ted with the -l8, water will flow to these controlling devices. pipe 52 leads from the pipe 16 to the casing 8% and projects into said casing (see Fig. 3) so that when water passes into the pipe 16 some of this water will pass through the pipe 52 and be discharged upon the thermostatic device, said pipe having openings 52 in it for this purpose located above the thermostatic device. The pipe 52 is provided with a controlling valve 53 having a stem 54:, by means of which it may be controlled so as to vary the amount of water entering the pipe 52, thereby varying the time required to cool the thermostat and hence the time required to close the valve at. This valve 53 is preferably protected by a sleeve and is set when the device is installed. H' it is desired to shorten or lengthen tlie interi .1 between the opening and closing of the t .i 5 and 19, the valve 53 is adjusted to ncrease or decrease the amount of water entering the pipe 52.

l have described in detail a particular construction embodying my invention, but is evident that the parts may be ried in many particulars without dept rig "from the spirit of the invention set out in the appended claims, and l l thererore no not limit myself to the particular construction illustrated.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

li hen the device is installed and ready for operation, the valve 5 is held open by th spring 8 and the valve 19 held closed by the sprii 4-. Steam is now admitted through to the vacuum tanl; 1. This stee s pipe ani the steam passes through the dise pipe into the trap 31 and then up the casing 31-, and comes into contact the thermostatic device35. therdevice c n expands and 0 "es the o as rock the shaft 58. sl ""t moves the lever 2) so as to move the (see few the openings 1e casing 17 through the pipe s ut through the pipe 16 and ugh the pipes 15 and 26 to the "d 552 above the diaphragms therein. The diaphragm is moved downwardly so as to move the valve 5 downwardly and close the steam pipe 3. The diaphragm 21 moves the valve 19 downwardly so to open the water pipe Water then passes the tank 1 and is sprayed throughout said tank so as to condense the steam therein, thereby producing a vacuum in the tank, and a suction through the pipe 2 so to draw air from the steam system or other apcaratus in connection with which the device used 1 re passing down throirh the 'pe and the hollow part into the tank a) and bring the end upon the thermostatic device 35. This cools the thermostatic device and the arrangement is so timed that when the desired vacuum is produced in the tank 1 the thermostatic device is cooled so as to move the levers 37 and 39 and shaft 38 in the opposite direction so as to lift the valve 44: and disconnect water pipe 18 from the casing and open the discharge openings 50 so as to connect the casing 17 with the discharge pipe 43. The water in the casings 11 and 22 above the diaphragms therein, is then discharged through pipe 16 and casing 17 and discharge pipe 13 into the trap 31. The spring 23 then moves the valve 19 to its closed position, thereby shutting oil water from the tank 1. In view of the fact that the tank 1 and pipe 2 are connected to the casing 11 below the diaphragm 13 by pipe 14; the vacuum therein will be exerted in the space in the casing 11 below the diaphragm and will hold the diaphragm against the action of the spring 8 so as to hold the valve 5 closed. When the vacuum falls to a predetermined point, the spring 8 then acts to open the valve 5. Steam then enters the tank 1 and drives out the air and water therein, and the action above described is then repeated. It will be seen that by means of this apparatus the main valves for controlling the steam and water supply to the tank 1 may be easily and effectively controlled by connecting the apparatus with the ordinary city water system.

I claim:

1. A vacuum producing device comprising a vacuum receptacle, a steam connection leading thereto, a valve for controlling said steam connection, a water connection leading to said receptacle, a valve for controlling said water connection, separate diaphragms for said steam and water valves, separatecasings for said diaphragms, a source of water supply, a connection between said source of water supply and said casings, so that the pressure of the water may be ap plied to said diaphragms, an automatic controllingdevice for controlling the admission of water to and the discharge of water from said casings, and an actuating device for said controlling device, responsive to conditions in said vacuum receptacle.

2. A vacuum producing device comprising a vacuum receptacle, a steam connection leading thereto, a valve for controlling said steam connection, a water connection leading to said receptacle, a valve for controlling said water connection, separate diaphragms for said steam and water valves, separate casings for said diaphragms, a source of water supply, a connection between said source of water supply and said casings, so that the pressure of the water may be applied tosaid diaphragms, a controlling device ior controlling the admission of water to said casings, and the discharge therefrom,

consisting of a chamber, a valve in said chamber, a communication between the cas ing and the source of water supply controlled by said valve, a communication between said chamber and the connection leading to the casings containing said diaphragms, an actuating device for said valve, comprising a thermostat operatively connected therewith, a casing inclosing said thermostat, and a connection between said vacuum receptacle and said casing, so that steam may pass from the receptacle to the casing.

3. A vacuum producing device comprising a vacuum receptacle, a steam connection leading thereto, a valve for controllingsaid steam connection, a water connection leading to said receptacle, a valve for controlling said water connection, separate diaphragms for said steam and water valves, separate casings for said diaphragms, a source of water supply, a connection between said source of water supply and said casings, so that the pressure of the water may be applied to said diaphragms, a controlling device for controlling the admission of water to said casings, and the discharge therefrom, consisting of a chamber, a valve in said chamber, a communication between the casing and the source of water supply controlled by said valve, a communication between said chamber and the connection leading to the casings containing said diaphragms, an actuating device for saidvalve, comprising a thermostat operatively connected therewith, a casing inclosing said thermostat, a connection between said vacuum receptacle and said casing, so that steam may pass from the receptacle to the casing, and a discharge leading from said chamber controlled by the valve within the chamber.

4. A vacuum producing device comprising a vacuum receptacle, a steam connection leading thereto, a valve for controlling said steam connection, a water connection leading to said receptacle, a valve for control ling said water connection, separate diaphragms for said steam and water valves, separate casings for said diaphragms, a source of water supply, a connection between said source of water supply and said casings, so that the pressure of the water may be applied to said diaphragms, a controlling device for controlling the admission of water to said casings, and the discharge therefrom, consisting of a chamber, a Valve in said chamber, a communication between the casing and the source of water supply controlled by said valve, a communication between said chamber and the connection leading to the casings containing said diaphragms, an actuating device for said valve. comprising a thermostat operatively connected therewith, a casing inclosing said 45 in a direc 50 separate valves for controlling said so means for redue ii thermostat, a connection between said vacuum receptacle and said casing, so that steam may pass from the r ceptacle to the casing, a discharge leading from said chamber controlled by the valve within the chamber.

5. A vacuum producing device comprising a vacuum receptacle, a steam connection leading thereto, a valve for controlling said steam connection, a Water connection leading to said receptacle, a valve :tor controlling said Water connection, separate liaphragms for said steam and Water valves, separate casings for said diaphragms, a source oi Water supply, a connection between said source of Water sunol and said casin s so Li J C: 7

that the pressure or" the Water may be applied to said diaphragms, an automatic controlling device for controlling the admi sion of water to and the discharge of Water from said casings, an actuating device for valves and means for auto naticail 1 admit-- ting a power fluid to said diaphra gas to operate them, said povver fluid actuating said diaphragms to alternately open one valve and close the other valve so to connect and disconnect said steam and Water connections With said vacuum receptacle in response to the conditions in said vacuum receptacle, and means for moving said valves in said steam and Water conncc tion opp site to the mov thereof produced said diaphra s.

A vacuum producing device comprising a vacuum receptacle, steam and water connections leading to said vacuum inc-ce and Water connections, diaphragnis for said valves, means for automatically admitting; a power fluid to said diaphragins to operate them, said power fluid actuating saic diaphragms to alternately open one valve and close the other e so as connect and dis connect said st 1 and Water connections with said vacuum rec gtacle in response to the conditions in rid vacuum receptacle and the 'essure on o e"- J'K h G- a i 1'1 im M'- 0; tile 11:11:) I a/ in cvnolfllllil Ll,- Show so to mane it substantially cori h the reduced pressure in the vacuum recep cle, whereby the opening of steam valve is delayed'until the pressure in the vacuum receptacle reaches a predetermined point.

8. vacuum producing device comprising a vacuum receptacle, a steam connection,

leading thereto, a valve for controlling said steam connection, a Water connection leading to said receptacle, a valve for controlling said Water connection, separate diaphragnis for said steam and Water valves, separate casings for said diaphragms, a source of Water supply, a connection between said source or Water supply and said casings so that the pressure of the Water may be applied to said diaphragms, a controlling device for controlling the admission of water to said casings and the discharge of Water therefrom, consisting of a chamher, a valve in said chamber, a communication between the casing; and the source of Water supply controlled by said valve, a communication between said chamber and the connection leading to the casings containing the diaphragms, an actuating device for said valve in said chamber, and an actuating device for said valve responsive to conditions in said vacuum receptacle, whereby water is admitted to said diaphragms so as to close the steam valve and open the Water valve. 1

9. vacuum producing device comprising a vacuum receptacle, a steam connection leading thereto, a valve for controlling said steam connection, a Water connection leading to said receptacle, a valve for controlling said vvater connection, separate diaphragirs for said steam and water valves, scpai' casings for said diaphragms, a source of water supply, a connection between said source of Water supply and said so that the pressure of the Water applied to said diaphragms, a cona; device for controlline; the admission t 3 o said. and the discharge of v lve in said chamber, a communication UQiZWGEH the caslnp; and the source of Water supply controlled by said valve, a communication hetiveen said chamber and the connection leading to the casings containing the diaphragms, an actuating device for said valve in said chamber, an actuating; device for said valve responsive to conditions in said vacuum receptacle, whereby Water is admitted to said diaphragms so as to close the steam valve and open the water valve, and means automatically movinq the va in Solid chamber so as to shut off the f om said diaphragms and permit so the Water therefrom after ive has been opened a pre-determined time. 7

10. A vacuum producingdevice comprisa vacuum receptacle a steam connection leading}; thereto, a valve for controlling said water therefrom,consisting of a chamber,-

steam connection, a water connection leading to said receptacle, a valve for controlling said water connection, separate diaphragms for said steam and water valves, separate casings for said diaphragms, a source of water supply, a connection between said source of water supply and said casings so that the pressure of the water may be applied to said diaphragms, a controlling device for controllina the admission of water to said casings and the discharge of water therefrom, consisting of a chamber, a valve in said chamber, a ommunication between the casing and the source of water supply controlled by said valve, a communication between said chamber and the connection leading to the casin s containing the diaphrarrms. an actuating device for said valve in said chamber. an actuatinq device for said valve responsive to Conditions in said vacuum receptacle, whereby water is adm tted to said diaphragms so as to close the steam valve and open the water valve. means for automatically moving the valve in said chamber so as to shut oil the water from said diaphrasrms and permit the discharge of the water therefrom after the water valve has been opened a predetermined time, and means for varying the length of time said water valve is open.

11. A vacuum producing device comprising a vacuum receptacle. a steam connection leading; thereto. a valve for controlling; such steam conne'tion. a water connection lea ing to such receptacle. a valve for contro lingsaid water connection, separate controlling parts for controlling" said steam and water valve, separate casings for said controlling parts, a source of, water supplyfa connection between said water supply and said casings so that the pressure at the water may be applied to said controllinq parts, and automatic means for alternately insertins" and withdrawing water from said casings.

12. A vacuum producing device comprising a vacuum receptacle, steam and water connections leading thereto, a valve for controlling each of said conne tions actuating parts therefor, a source of water supply, mechanism for applying the pressure of said water from said source of water supply to the actuating parts for said valves to open and close said valves to connect and disconnect said steam and water connections with said va uum receptacle, and an automatic controlling device for said mechanism.

13. A vacuum producing device comprising a vacuum receptacle, steam and water connections leading thereto, a valve for controlling each of said connections, actuating par-ts therefor, a source of water supply, mechanism for applying the pressure of said water to the actuating parts for said valves to open and close the valves to alternately connect and disconnect said steam and water connections with said vacuum receptacle to move them in one direction and devices for moving said valves in the opposite direction, an automatic controlling device for said mechanism, a thermostatic actuating device for actuating said controlling mechanism, a casing for said thermostatic actuating device, and a communication between said casing and said vacuum receptacle.

14. A vacuum producing device comprising a vacuum receptacle, steam and water connections to said va uum receptacle, separate valves for controlling said steam and water connections, actuating devices for said valves, means for admitting a power fluid to said actuating devices to operate them, said power fluid actuating said diaphragms to alternately open one valve and close the other valve so as to connect and disconnect said steam and water connections with said vacuum receptacle in response to the conditions in said vacuum receptacle, and means for reducing the pressure on one side of the actuating device of the steam valve so as to make it substantially correspond to the reduced pressure in the vacuum re"eptacle whereby the opening of the steam valve is delayed until the pressure in the vacuum receptacle reaches a predetermined point.

15. A vacuum producing device comprising a vacuum receptacle, a steam connection leading thereto, a valve for controlling said steam connection, a water connection leading to said receptacle, a valve for controlling said water connection, separate diaphragms for said steam and water valves, separate casings for said diaphraqms, a source of water supply, a connection between said water supply and said casings so that the pressure of the water he applied to said diaphraems. and automatic means for alternately inserting and withdrawing water from said casings to move said valves in one direction, and means responsive to conditions in said re eptacle for holding said steam valve closed independent of the pressure of the water in the casing thereof until the vacuum in said receptacle has fallen below a predetermined point and means for returning said valves to their initial positions after they are moved by said diaphramns.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my siqnature in the presence of two witnesses this 8th day of December, 1915.

JAMES MoALEAR.

Witnesses MINNIE M. LTNDENAU, CHRISTINA DEANS. 

